Mitsubishi Power Systems America has given official notice that a $100 million wind turbine plant in Fort Smith won't open any time soon.

Fort Smith officials said Monday they are hopeful the factory will eventually open and employ the 400 workers that the company said it had planned to hire.

Mitsubishi has been in a court fight with General Electric Corp. over patent disputes. Mitsubishi said in a news release that the demand for wind turbines has been stagnant for four years. The industry has been pressing for federal financial incentives to spur development.

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority told Fort Smith television station KHBS that it expects the plant to eventually open.

The jobs would help offset those lost with a Whirlpool Corp. plant's closure later this year.